Summary

When observing the development of Estonian courts since the restoration of independence, it appears that in the years immediately preceding and following restoration, the foundation necessary for the functioning of the legal system was laid. This has been followed by larger or smaller changes in the organisation and administration of the courts. Today, we speak of two major reforms which, having fluctuated for several years, occasionally recede and then resurface, giving cause to ask whether we must face an endless ‘Groundhog Day’ of court reforms. The article looks back at the period during which changes reforming the court system of restored Estonia took place and explains what they entailed. Key milestones are marked in the creation of the court system (1990–1993), the years of development (2002–2005), and the periods of reform (2006–2023). The focus of the article is on the reform plans that began vigorously in 2024 and continue in 2026. The article also analyses the objectives of the court organisation reform and its potential impact on the administration of justice, focusing on the effects accompanying the increased specialisation of judges.